Willis is expected to return after three weeks, which will give him just enough of a cushion to rest up and prepare before the start of the regular season. He has played through a broken hand on more than one occasion, so this isn’t a major concern or setback.

The 49ers will open the season against the Green Bay Packers on September 8th, and the 49ers expect to have their defensive leader available to face off against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ high-scoring offense. The two teams last played during the divisional round of last season’s playoffs in January in which the 49ers handily beat the Packers 45-31.